I'm posting at this diary at SusanG's request - I'm extremely limited for time so if anyone would like to take charge of this information please do so with my blessings. -sid)
[UPDATE 2/2, 7:15 PM] Added info to #4, added new entry #5 and a possible #6)
This is an add-on to the Plame Diaries threads. I think it's best to start with a reference to my original comment.
Being a fairly practical person I've made a few "big picture" observations regarding our search. While I agree with the decision to keep this all public, it's worth noting that a) the bad guys are most surely aware of and monitoring this effort by now, and b) they know where the bad stuff is.
Seems simple, but here's the point; we had about a two-day head's start. Now they're not only going to be following our progress (to see what we've found), they're going to be leading it (to get rid of what we haven't found). Yes, Google caches and Wayback Machines are wonderful things, but I do think it adds to the challenge from here on.
[UPDATE 2/6, 6:00 PM] Welcome to Bizarro-Land! - an odd string of events directly related to item #1, yet fully deserving of it's own, special number.
This diary is created to track changes which have "coincided" with the work we've been doing. I'm going to ask readers to periodically check contents of websites or any other data that have been connected to this effort. If you see definite changes (aside from regular added or changed content), please post it here and include as much of the following information as possible. If you aren't sure, post it anyway and let's vet it thoroughly.
I'd also ask those who are doing screen captures to check in periodically in case you might have something that requires checking. Also, NonemptySubsets has downloaded several of the sites in question. I'm hoping that he/she will monitor this diary regularly in case we need a check and also if anyone has suggestions of other sites that should be captured.
Here's what I'm shooting for (comments and criticism not only accepted but expected): It might provide some insight if we can check periodically and track what was changed, how it was changed, if possible, when it was changed, and I'd like to add some brainstorming as to why it might have been changed. Items are numbered for easy reference in the comments and I'll update as I can.
I'm starting off with some basics and this is all off the top of my head, so correct and add at will. So far we know:
1. - What - The Conservative Guy website - http://www.theconservativeguy.com
How - Front page stripped. Banner is still there. Also, as correctly pointed out, the non-front pages exist if you can get to them.
When - Sometime Saturday afternoon, 1/30 (check info?)
Why - Don't want evidence of direct connection to Gannon? Something damning on there? (can someone who has captured this check?)
2. - What - multiple domain registrations
How - Changed from J. Daniels to I. Christian
When - Sometime Sunday, 1/31 (check?)
Why - Is Jeff Gannon really J. Daniels? Are we being baited with another pseudonym? Other thoughts from someone who knows more about website registration?
3. - What - Staff bio information - http://www.talonnews.com (I think there was more, can somebody be more specific as to what else was changed?)
How - Erased. Gone. "Gannon" and the entire "staff"
When - Sometime Saturday 1/30 or Sunday 1/31 (anyone have details?)
Why - Good question. They know we have this already. To keep more eyes from seeing it? Maybe to provide a distraction? Do they not want us looking into the other "staff" members?
4. - What - Leadership Institute contact email address.
How - changed from a specific LI address for Billy Parker (not posting it again, we have it if we need it) to a generic info@cpbm.org address.
When - Between 11 PM Sunday 1/31 and 10 AM Monday 2/1.
Why - Trying to distance the CPBM from LI? Perhaps because it makes the CPBM look like another political arm of the LI? Maybe Parker was getting tons of email and they wanted a generic addy? (props to thebes)
5. - What - Content removed from boottotheskull.com.
How - Gannon bio removed archive here;articles removed from January 7, '02 and March 7, '03; also a poll in which Gannon was listed (no link).
When - Unknown ("recent days"). Any clues?
Why - Gannon was no longer a contributor? Site owner wants to distance himself from Gannon? Something damning in the text? (props to silence)
6. - What - Multiple content change to theconservativeguy.com (see #1 above).
How - Previous remaining banner had been stripped and replaced with information apparently copied from the CIA website. Eventually, it too was completely removed and the page header now just states "New Page 1."
When - Original change sometime Saturday night, 2/5, apparently srubbed at some point around midday Sunday, 2/6 (even the original "Conservative Guy" banners, which still existed, are now gone.
Why - Lot of speculation, especially since the "new" page was being done in Front Page and the CIA one was not. Was it to be used as a template for something else? Was it to scare investigators? Perhaps to imply that "Jeff" had connections? Did someone else hack the site or plant it? Is he (or someone) just screwing with us? And why was it totally scrubbed? Perhaps preparing a more throrough template? Didn't expect it to be seen so soon? Placed by mistake? (props to NonemptySubset and all who contributed)
[Update - 2/5; 10:30 PM] - For now I'm removing info as it relates to 2bits4conservatives.com (formerly #6). I think it's a good lead but I'm reasonably sure it hasn't disappeared as a result of the Propagannon effort.
Okay folks, the stick has been thrown. Let's Fetch!
I just want to conclude by saying that, regardless of the outcome, I'm really happy to make some small contribution to this effort and I'm proud to be a Kossack.